Steam cleaner construction



United States Patent 1,018,345 2/1912 Robertsetal Inventor John F. Finger Beresl'ord, South Dakota Appl. No. 806,125

Filed March 11, 1969 Patented Oct. 13, 1970 Assignee Sioux Steam Cleaner Corporation Beresford, South Dakota a corporation of South Dakota siEAM cmnii bssnidbnds 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

Primary Examiner-Char1es1. Myhre A1I0rneyMerchant and Gould ABSTRACT: A device having a base and housing means carried by the base. First and second tubular elements are mounted on the base within the housing means and cooperate therewith to define a combustion chamber, dead air space, and a circulating chamber. The top wall of the housing means defines vent means which communicate with the combustion chamber and atmosphere and the circulating chamber and atmosphere. Coil means, connected to a source of fluid under pressure, aremounted in the combustion chamber and heating means communicate with the combustion chamber for heating the coil means. The first and second tubular elements further include insulating means on the outer surfaces thereof which cooperates with dead air space and circulating chamber, to

Patented Obt. 13, 1970 3,5335380' Sheet of 2 I NVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 13, 1970 3,533,380

Sheet 2 of 2 INVENTOR.

BY. I

STEAM CLEANER CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to steam producing devices and more specifically to steam cleaners constructed to reduce the external temperatures of oil or gas fired steam cleaning devices of a generally portable nature.

2. Description of the Prior Art In prior art devices of the type above described it is a particular problem to construct such devices to provide efflcient conversion of water to steam while at the same time staying within an acceptable level of weight and manufacturing costs. Also, such devices normally have an external housing temperature which is somewhat uncomfortable to the touch of an operator coming into physical contact therewith, thus making same difficult to move about as in the case of portable steam cleaners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above in mind'it is a principal object of the invention to provide a device of the type above described which reduces the external temperature of the device to a level comfortable to the physical touch of an operator.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device of the above character which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the type above described which is relatively light and portable.

To the above ends there is provided a steam cleaner including a base and housing means carried by the base which has a peripheral side wall and a top wall. A first tubular element extends between the base and the top wall and cooperates therewith to define a combustion chamber. A second tubular element, having a greater transverse dimension than the first tubular element, is carried by the base and extends longitudinally and concentrically with respect to the first tubular element to define therebetween a dead air space. The second tubular element, base, and housing means cooperate to define a circulation chamber with the top wall of the housing means defining vent means which provides communication between the circulating chamber and atmosphere and the combustion chamber and atmosphere. Coil means, mounted in the combustion chamber, have an inlet end, connected to a source of fluid under pressure, and an outlet end and heating means communicate with the combustion chamber for heating the coil means to a predetermined temperature. The first and second tubular elements each include insulating means adjacent the outer surfaces thereof which cooperate with the dead air space to reduce the transfer of heat from the combustion chamber to the circulating chamber. Natural convection of atmospheric air within the circulating chamber further reduces the transfer of heat from the combustion chamber to the housing means to a level approximately that of atmospherto air.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed specification, appended claims, and attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views;

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a portable steam cleaner constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid conducting system of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, portions thereof broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a view partially in top plan and partially in horizontal section of the structure of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modified embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION Referring to the drawing, FIGS. 1-4 show a preferred embodiment of a portable steam cleaner indicated generally by the numeral 10. Steam cleaner includes a wheel equipped base 11 and a housing means 12 which has a peripheral side wall 13 and top wall 14. A first tubular element 15 is mounted within the housing 12 so as to extend between the base II and the top wall I4 and cooperates therewith to define a combustion chamber 16. A second tubular element 17 is carried by the base 11 and extends longitudinally of the first tubular element 17. The second tubular element 17 has a transverse dimension greater than that of the first tubular element 15 and defines therebetween a dead air space, identified at 18. The second tubular element 17, base 11, and the peripheral side wall 13 of the housing means 12 cooperate to define a circulation chamber 23. It will be noted, by particular reference to FIG. 3 of the drawings, that the second tubular element I7 terminates in spaced relation to the top wall 14 and that the cross-sectional area of the dead air space I8 is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of the circulating chamber 23 for reasons which will be more fully described hereinafter. Each of the tubular elements l5, 17 is provided, adjacent the outer surface thereof, with insulating means 25, 25' respectively, also for reasons to be more fully described hereinafter.

Formed in the top wall 14 of the housing 12 is a generally centrally located vent 26 which provides communication between the combustion chamber 16 and atmosphere to exhaust gases of combustion from within the combustion chamber 16. Radially outwardly of the vent 26 a plurality of vents 27, formed in the top wall 14, are arranged generally concentrically with respect to vent 26 to provide communication between the circulating chamber 23 and atmosphere as will be described during the description of operation.

Supported on the base 11 and positioned generally coaxially within the combustion chamber 16, to extend substantially theentire length of the combustion chamber 16, are fluid conduit coil means 28. Fluid conduit coil means 28 is maintained in a generally coaxially position, relative to the first tubular element 29 secured to and carried by the base I 1. As shown, the coil means 28 includes an inner coil section 30, having a fluid outlet end 31 and an outer coil section 32 having a fluid inlet end 33. The inner and outer coil sections 30, 32 are constructed of vertically stacked convolutions which are positioned concentrically with respect to each other. The convolutions of the inner coil section are in juxtaposition to adjacent convolutions of the outer coil section 32 and to adjacent vertically stacked convolutions of their respective coil sections 30, 32.

Mounted in the base 11 so as to communicate with the lower end of the coil means 28 and combustion chamber 16 is heating means in the nature of a conventional oil burner, only the nozzle 38 of which is shown. That portion of the heating means, not shown, is normally contained within a housing portion 39 carried by the base 11 and positioned adjacent the peripheral side wall 13 of housing 12. A fuel supply tank 40 operatively connected to the heating means, by conventional tubular conduits, is positioned directly above and supported by the housing portion 39. Itwill be appreciated that other types of heating means, such as gas burners, may be utilized in the present structure, the only requirement being that such heating means must be of a portable nature.

FIG. 2 of the drawings diagrammatically shows a preferred method of connecting the fluid conduit coil means 28 to a source of fluid under pressure, such as water. As illustrated, there is shown a fluid reservoir having an inlet conduit 46 leading from a supply of fluid. A float equipped valve 47 is connected to the inlet conduit 46 to control the level of fluid within the reservoir 45. A fluid outlet conduit 48 has one end connected to the inlet end of fluid pump 49, the outlet of the pump being connected to the inlet 33 of the outer coil section 32. Connected to the outlet 31 of the inner coil section 30 is a flexible conduit 50 which terminates in a handle equipped nozzle 51 utilized to direct fluid flowing therefrom, in the form of steam, against an object to be cleaned thereby.

OPERATION When it is desired to utilize the steam cleaner 10, heretofore described, an operator connects the reservoir 45 to a source of fluid, such as water. by means of the conduit 46. Thereafter. the heating nozzle 38 of the heating means is ignited to supply a source of heat to the coil 28. When the coil 28 has been heated sufficiently to a temperature wherein steam begins to flow from the nozzle 51, the pump 49 is electrically energized to provide'a continuous flow of water to the coil 28. it will be noted. that the temperature produced by the heating nozzle 38 is in the vicinity of 1500F. Since the outlet 31 of the coil 28 is associated with the inner coil section 30 and the inlet of the coil 28 is associated with the outer coil section 32, a relationship is set up wherein the incoming fluid is preheated through conductance of heat from the inner coil section '30 to the outer coil section 32. Thus, fluid flowing from the outlet 31 of the inner coil section 30 is subjected to a maximum of heat to assure proper vaporization of the water within the coil means in steam cleaning devices presently manufactured a particu lar problem has been the transfer of heat generated by the high temperature l500F. within the combustion chamber 16 to the peripheral side wall 13 of the housing 12. As such. physical engagement of the device 10, by an operator attempting to move same or accidentally during the operation of the device 10, is rather uncomfortable and in some cases may even result in physical harm to the operator. Heat generated within the combustion chamber 16 is reduced to approximately 330F. as it reaches the first tubular element 15. The dead air space 18 and insulation 25, associated with the second tubular element 17, further reduces the heat to approximately 100F. in the vicinity of the insulation 25. it will be noted that expansion and contraction of air within the dead air space 18 is compensated for by virtue of the fact that the second tubular element 17 terminates short of the top wall 14 so as to vent the dead air space 18 through the plurality of openings 27. Also, the relatively small transverse dimension of the dead air space 18 substantially prevents circulation of air within the dead air space 18.

Because of the temperature difference between the insulation 25 and the peripheral side wall 13 of the housing 12 a circulation of air by convection is set up in the circulating chamber 23. That is, air within the chamber 23 adjacent the insulation 25 of second tubular element 17 is heated to a temperature of approximately 100F. Such heated air risesalong the second tubular element and is exhausted through the innerrnost portion of the plurality of vents 27 and, in the process, sets up a circulation of air within the circulating chamber 23 so as to draw atmospheric air into the chamber 23, through the outermost portion of the vents 27, and downwardly along the peripheral wall 13 of the housing 12 toward'the base llsuch as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3. in this manner, the peripheral wall 13 of housing 12 is maintained at a temperature substantially equal to that of the surrounding atmosphere, making the outer peripheral wall 13 comfortable to the touch of the operator. It will be noted, that the vent 26 is provided with a tubular extension 55 to protect an operator from exhausted gases of combustion blowing from the vent 26. Since the gases of combustion are relatively hot, such tubular element 55 in turn would be relatively hot. To prevent accidental engagement of the extension 55 by an operator a second tubular extension is provided radially of the plurality of vents 27 in a generally concentrically disposed arrangement with respect to the tubular extension 55. Tubular extension 56 is cooled by the atmospheric air entering the vent 27 and acts as a guard against accidental engagement of the 7 extension 55 by the operator.

FIG. 5 of the drawings illustrates a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention, indicated generally by the numeral 60. Since the modified embodiment 60 is generally similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, like parts thereof are indicated with like reference numerals with a prime mark added. ln the structure of FIG. 5 an additional plurality of vent openings 61 are formed in the base 11 so as to provide communication between atmosphere and the lowermost portion of the circulation chamber 23. With this arrangement convection of air within the chamber 23 results in a circulation of atmospheric air through the vent openings 61 into the chamber 23 toward the plurality of openings 27' formed in the top wall 14'. Such circulation of atmospheric air obviously must flow along the insulation 25 of the second tubular element 17' and the peripheral wall 13' of the housing 12'. The circulation of air through the circulating chamber 23 flows along and carries air adjacent the second tubular element 17', which is approximately F., toward the plurality of vents 27'. At the same time such air flows along the peripheral wall 13' of housing 12 to provide a barrier against transfer of heat from the second tubular element 17', by means of radiation, to the wall 13' ofhousing 12'. I

in order to terminate use of steam cleaners 10, 60 an operator first shuts off the heating means. After a short period water flowing into the coil means 28, 28' cools same to a point wherein only water flows from the nozzle 51. At this time pump 49 is deenergized and the water level in reservoir 45 rises to activate float equipped valve 47 and shut off the flow of water from conduit 46. Further flow of water through coil means 28, 28 is thus terminated, leaving the coil means 28, 28' charged with sufficient fluid for subsequent use of the steam cleaners 10.60.

It will be noted, that steam cleaners 10, 60 are constructed of relatively lightweight materials which lends to the portability thereof. ln spite of the use of such lightweight material, which would normally result in relatively high heat loss from the combustion chamber 16, 16', to the peripheral side walls 13, 13', the particular arrangement of insulation 24, 25, 24', 25' and the provision of dead air spaces 18, 18' together with circulating chambers 23, 23 provide structures which are completely comfortable to the physical touch of an operator.

lclaim:

1. Steam cleaner construction comprising:

a. a base;

b. housing means carried by said base having a peripheral side wall and a top wall;

c. a first tubular element extending between said base and said top wall and cooperating therewith to define a combustion chamber;

(1. a second tubular element carried by said base and extending longitudinally of said first tubular element;

e. said second tubular element having a greater transverse dimension than said first tubular element and defining therebetween a dead air space; I

f. said second tubular element, said base, and said housing means cooperating to define a circulation chamber;

g. said top wall of said housing means defining vent means communicating with said circulating chamber and atmosphere and said combustion chamber and atmosphere;

h. fluid conduit coil means mounted in said combustion chamber having an inlet end connected to a source of fluid under pressure and an outlet end; and

i. heating means communicating with said combustion chamber for heating said coil to a predetermined temperature.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which the upper end of said second tubular element terminates in spaced relation to said top wall and in which the cross-sectional area of said dead air space is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of said circulating chamber.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which said first and second tubular elements each include insulating means adjacent the outer surface thereof.

4.'The structure of claim 1 in which said fluid conduit coil means includes inner and outer coil sections having vertically stacked convolutions which are concentrically arranged with respect to each other.

' 5. The structure of claim 4 in which the convolutions of said inner coil section are in juxtaposition to adjacent convolutions of said outer coil section and to themselves vertically.

7. The structure of claim 1 in which said base defines vent means communicating with said circulating chamber and atmosphere.

8. The structure of claim 4 in which said inlet of said fluid conduit coil means is associated with said outer coil section and in which said outlet of said fluid conduit coil means is associated with said inner coil section. 

